Chapter 102: The Grand Formation Fully Activated!

"Senior Lu, do you want me to help the Nether Cloud Sect surpass the other sects?"

From their earlier conversation, Ye Yuan naturally understood Lu Yan's thoughts.

"Haha, the lad is teachable. You really get it with just a hint! But I don't just want you to surpass the sects of the Southern Domain; I hope you will lead the Nether Cloud Sect back to the Northern Domain!" Lu Yan said excitedly.

Ye Yuan smiled wryly upon hearing this. "Senior Lu, you overestimate me. I'm just a junior at the Qi Realm."

"Heh, you need not be modest. Having comprehended the Heart Like Still Water, your future achievements will be limitless! I only hope that when you have enough strength in the future, you will remember to drink from the source."

Lu Yan was already dead, so naturally he would not speak too bluntly. If he made excessive demands, Ye Yuan would not agree. Even if he agreed, he would not carry them out in the future.

The four words 'drink from the source' hit the mark perfectly. They pointed out that Ye Yuan's future success would be due to the Nether Cloud Sect, without making any specific demands.

What to do later would all depend on Ye Yuan himself. If Ye Yuan was an ungrateful person, these words would naturally be wasted; but if Ye Yuan valued loyalty and righteousness, these words would plant a seed in his heart.

Ye Yuan smiled and said, "Senior, you worry too much. I am already a disciple of the Nether Cloud Sect. It is my duty to contribute to the sect."

Lu Yan nodded with a smile, clearly very satisfied with Ye Yuan's answer.

He didn't need Ye Yuan to promise him anything; he only needed Ye Yuan to remember the Nether Cloud Sect's kindness to him.

As for whether Ye Yuan could reach that height in the future, Lu Yan had never worried.

You Wuya was not exceptionally talented back then, but after he comprehended the Heart Like Still Water at the Spirit Liquid Realm, his rise was unstoppable.

Even if Ye Yuan didn't reach You Wuya's level, he would at least have enough ability to lead the Nether Cloud Sect back to the Northern Domain.

The strength gap between the Southern and Northern Domains was considerable. Most of the truly great sects in the Boundless Realm were in the Northern Domain.

Back then, the Nether Cloud Sect was also a major sect in the Northern Domain, but due to a lack of successors, it was annexed by other sects and nearly lost its foundation.

The upper echelons of the Nether Cloud Sect had never given up on the goal of returning to the Northern Domain over the years, but the Ten Nations of Nether Cloud were inherently barren lands with scarce talent. How easy was it to return to the Northern Domain?

Over the years, some people from the Danwu Academies of the Ten Nations of Nether Cloud had managed to pass the Nine Heavens Path, but not a single one had comprehended the Heart Like Still Water.

"Haha, hearing these words from you finally resolves the knot in my heart after all these years! Including the sect's Nine Heavens Path, there are ten other old bastards like me guarding the path, but they don't have this fortune! I never thought that in my lifetime, I would witness you passing the Nine Heavens Path. I can die with a smile." Lu Yan laughed heartily.

It was evident that Lu Yan was truly satisfied and no longer cared about life or death.

Ye Yuan smiled and said, "Senior, don't be so pessimistic. Heaven never seals off all exits. Perhaps you will still have the chance to see the day the Nether Cloud Sect returns to the Northern Domain!"

Lu Yan waved his hand with a smile. "Little lad, don't comfort this old man. Life and death are fated. I have come to terms with it."

Lu Yan thought Ye Yuan was comforting him, but with Ye Yuan's abilities, as long as he had enough strength, it was not impossible to bring Lu Yan back to life.

Ye Yuan did not explain further. Whether he could hold on until that day depended on Lu Yan's own fortune.

If he gained enough strength in the future and Lu Yan's divine thought had not yet dissipated, he would come to help Lu Yan.

"Alright, enough with the idle talk. Although you have comprehended the state of 'heart like still water,' you still have to pass the third trial. The core of the third trial is our Profound Cloud Sect's supreme art—the Azure Firmament Purple Sun Sword Technique. This sword technique is extraordinarily powerful. How much you can comprehend is up to you. I will control the power of the formation. If you cannot hold on, I will withdraw the sword technique and let you pass the third trial directly!" Lu Yan said.

The Nine Heavens Path had stood for over a thousand years before finally encountering a genius who had comprehended the state of heart like still water. Lu Yan did not want Ye Yuan to be killed by the formation—that would be a disaster.

After all, Ye Yuan was only at the ninth level of Yuan Qi; his chances of passing the third trial were truly slim.

"Thank you for your concern, Senior, but please do not control the formation's power. If I dare not even brave the Nine Heavens Path, what qualification do I have to help the sect return to the Northern Domain?" Ye Yuan declined Lu Yan's kindness.

Ye Yuan had not expected to receive such preferential treatment, but after thinking it over, he refused.

Having comprehended heart like still water in the second trial, he had become curious about the third trial.

Even heart like still water was only placed in the second trial; what benefits would come from clearing the third trial?

At this point, he no longer underestimated the Profound Cloud Sect.

You Wuyan was undoubtedly a genius of extraordinary talent, yet for some reason, his name had never been heard in the Divine Realm.

But having comprehended heart like still water in the lower realm, the sword technique he left behind was definitely worth a look.

Lu Yan naturally did not know what Ye Yuan was thinking. He thought Ye Yuan was being arrogant and could not help but advise, "Ye Yuan, this Azure Firmament Purple Sun Sword Technique is extraordinarily powerful. Even during assessments for talented disciples, many Liquid Essence realm disciples have fallen to it. Although you have comprehended the state of heart like still water, your strength is still shallow. Please think twice!"

Ye Yuan smiled upon hearing this and said, "Senior, did you not just say to let me comprehend the sword technique? If you control its power, how can my insights be profound? If I end up learning a half-baked Azure Firmament Purple Sun Sword Technique, wouldn't that be a joke?"

"This..." Lu Yan was left speechless.

Ye Yuan continued, "Senior, I know you mean well for me, but which true strong person grew up in a greenhouse? To become a great powerhouse by playing it safe is nothing but a fool's dream. I imagine that Senior You Wuyan himself went through countless brushes with death to achieve such greatness, right?"

Lu Yan listened and could not help but sigh to the heavens. He said, "It is this old man who is attached to appearances, not even seeing as clearly as a young lad of ten-odd years. Enough, enough. Times and fate are as they are. Take care of yourself!"

Ye Yuan made a bow to Lu Yan and said, "Thank you, Senior, for your understanding!"

With that, Lu Yan's figure vanished, and the formation immediately became murderous.

Ye Yuan could feel that this was a true killing formation! One slip-up, and he would die on the spot.

At the same time, the latter part of the Nine Heavens Path became shrouded in mist, and Ye Yuan's figure disappeared from everyone's sight.

Everyone could feel the waves of killing intent emanating from the Nine Heavens Path. Even those Liquid Essence realm martial artists could not help but feel their scalps tingle.

If even those outside could feel the killing intent so clearly, how much more intense must it be for Ye Yuan, who was inside the formation!

Everyone's heartstrings tightened. Their earlier confidence in Ye Yuan had now turned into tension.

They all knew that Ye Yuan was about to face the most terrifying trial.

Could he really make it through?